8th January 1944

Saturday

Up early, cloudy and warm.  Surprised to find that the beacon was flashing.  This is the first time I have known it to be started during the night.  It usually flashes from sunset to sunrise.

Office just after 9, which was very fortunate, as Walling was not well today, and only came in for an hour.  Captain Folkard not in a very good mood, annoyed at Snowball’s attitude over the Committee’s heifers.  In my opinion Snowball should be given charge of the dairy herd when formed, as it seems ridiculous to have an experienced man on the job and not to allow him to use his experience.  It cannot be denied that Nott knows nothing about cows, and I rather doubt whether Baldwin knows very much.  I said as much to Captain Folkard, but it was not well-received.

The steam-tackle foreman, Payne, came in during the morning, and complained about Nott’s treatment of him.  Some of his complaints were, I think, justified, as Nott undoubtedly treats the men very badly, but he also complained bitterly because Baldwin had spoken to him for being late.  He admitted that they had been late starting on several mornings, but he objected strongly to being told so.  This is a very common attitude among workers today.

Daphne went off to Chelmsford this morning, looking very charming in her best clothes, to try for a job as a Recorder under the Milk Marketing Board.  I shall be sorry to lose her if she goes, but I know she has been pining for outdoor work for a long time.

This afternoon went shopping to try to find a present for the Rallings, but could find nothing at all suitable, so bought Mary a bunch of flowers for 4/- instead.  Must find something else when Father leaves Winnock Lodge.  

At 4 o’clock went to the Regal to see “Saludos Amigos”, Walt Disney’s new film.  Very good, and most enjoyable.  A combination of real scenes and drawings has great possibilities.  A visit to a cinema always inspires me to think how much better I could make films myself.  For some time I have been thinking about a series of short historical films which would be cheap to make and should be very attractive.

Went to Winnock Lodge, and gave Mary the flowers, which seemed to please her very much.  To Bourne Mill and fed the donkey.  The moon is almost full, but thick clouds came up and made a curious grey twilight, similar to that seen in dreams.  We have been very lucky this moon – there has not been a really fine clear night for almost a month.  Will a time ever come when a full moon means a night drive along deserted lanes instead of the chance of an air-raid?

Tonight reading and writing.  The beacon on again, but owing to the clearness of the atmosphere it did not show up so brightly as it usually does.  For some reason I did not feel in the least nervous tonight.